Stephen Nover's NHL May Total of the Month
(NHL) Vegas vs. Dallas,
Total: 5.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
Dallas is down 3-0 to Las Vegas in these Western Conference Finals and totally frustrated. The Stars are averaging two goals during their last five games and now will be without their captain and second-leading points producer suspended Jamie Benn. Dallas also likely will be missing injured forward Evgenii Dadonov, who has accounted for 10 points during the Stars' 16 playoff game hurting the team's scoring depth.

The Golden Knights have stymied the Stars with their defensive depth - six solid blue-liners - and with backup goalie Adin Hill stepping up. Hill made 34 saves in Las Vegas' 4-0 Game 3 road win this past Tuesday. The Golden Knights have held their opponents to 1.7 goals during their last four games.

Clogging up the middle of the ice, leading the NHL in blocked shots and averaging 10.3 takeaways - best of the remaining playoff teams - have been keys for the Golden Knights in holding the Stars to two goals during the last seven periods.

How does Dallas respond?

Obviously the Stars are in a desperate position on the verge of elimination. I don't see them opening up their attack. It's not realistically possible minus Benn, who has been such an important figure in their offense. Instead, I see the Stars trying to be more careful with the puck and helping out their goalie either backup Scott Wedgewood, or a shaky Jake Oettinger. That means a conservative game plan trying to get that much-needed elusive first win to keep the series alive.

It's worth noting, too, that the past seven games in Dallas between these two teams have all gone Under.